Effect of olive jift and sublethal glyphosate applications on faba beans (Vicia faba)

Abstract

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the effects of mixing olive mill by-product (jift) into the soil or of applying sublethal rates of glyphosate at various times on faba beans. The efficacy of these applications to control broomrape is currently being evaluated in Jordan. In one experiment, faba beans were grown in rooting mixtures that contained jift in calculated percentages of 0, 14.3, 16.6, 20, 25, 33.3 and 50% (v/v). In the second experiment, the foliar parts of faba bean plants were sprayed with glyphosate at a rate of 40 g ai/ha applied at either 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 weeks after crop emergence. The results indicated that mixing jift with the soil did not affect most variables measured above or below ground on current or subsequent faba bean crops. Slight reductions in plant height and dry weight were recorded sporadically. A decrease in the pH of the rooting mixture was observed as the percentage of jift increased. Electrical conductivity values also increased as the percentage of jift in the mixture increased. Sublethal glyphosate applications did not cause any effect on faba bean growth and yield. The results of both experiments indicate that these two methods, if they prove to be effective for broomrape control, have no adverse effects on the growth and yield of faba beans.